zicada's platform and questions thread

[zicada]

So, I'm running for IA again. Not much has changed in terms of my ideas since my last run, really.

Most of you know Ive been around to host and run alot of ALFA's systems for a long time. Lately Ive taken over hosting the forums and website again, and it seems to have worked out very well. Accesstimes are much better, and for people in more places. If elected, I will continue to host and administrate our resources to the best of my ability, to keep downtime to a minimum.

I also have a new server coming soon, which is going to be fairly awesome. This is an actual server, not a desktop computer running server-software. It may host our next module, or some other aspect of the infrastructure.

On moderation:

It has always been the case that moderation falls under the IA position. In Hialmar's last run, he did not want this responsibility, and thus they were passed on to others.
I am fairly happy with the status quo to be honest, but i WILL want to remove anonymity from the forum moderators. After the first week or two of stupidity, and obvious replacements, moderation seems to function relatively well,- as long as Off Topic is left alone obviously.

I will take up looking at donations again, and possible ways of getting us a professional home for the TSM server. Its pretty bad publicity for us when its down. Alot of our NWN2 players should also be happy with this.

Finally, i'll look into making a few cosmetic changes to our website to make it a bit more professional looking. Senior_T has some good ideas on branding and logo's and such, that I would strongly look into implementing sooner rather than later. Teal is getting old as well if you as me

There you have it folks.

[Nalo Jade]

So, I'm running for IA again. Not much has changed in terms of my ideas since my last run, really.

Most of you know Ive been around to host and run alot of ALFA's systems for a long time. Lately Ive taken over hosting the forums and website again, and it seems to have worked out very well. Accesstimes are much better, and for people in more places. If elected, I will continue to host and administrate our resources to the best of my ability, to keep downtime to a minimum.

I also have a new server coming soon, which is going to be fairly awesome. This is an actual server, not a desktop computer running server-software. It may host our next module, or some other aspect of the infrastructure.

[snip removed portion about Moderation as I am sure that will be discussed to death anyway ]

I will take up looking at donations again, and possible ways of getting us a professional home for the TSM server. Its pretty bad publicity for us when its down. Alot of our NWN2 players should also be happy with this.

Finally, i'll look into making a few cosmetic changes to our website to make it a bit more professional looking. Senior_T has some good ideas on branding and logo's and such, that I would strongly look into implementing sooner rather than later. Teal is getting old as well if you as me

There you have it folks.

Thanks for stepping up to take care of things whilst Hialmar has resigned.

What responsibility do you believe the IA has in regards to the general "tidyness" of the forums?

Can the DM Event Scheduler be cloned for players to post scheduled events for their groups and/or matchmaking? If this can happen are you in favor of that?

Would you be in favor of creating an e-mail address for each server and then creating an account for them on the NWConnections? (I understand this is sort of doing their "job" for them, however maybe we just have to "get-r-done")

Keeping with the status quo, if you are asked to do something by the majority and do not believe it is the right thing to do, how would you deal with that? (it is inevitable that in an Admin position you will at some point be needed to do something you don't personally agree with, how well do you believe you can separate your personal interest from the will of the people?)

Thanks for volunteering

[zicada]

What responsibility do you believe the IA has in regards to the general "tidyness" of the forums?

The forums are the IA's domain. He/She is responsible for its tidyness. If you mean physical actual tidyness as in number of forums and how theyre organized, as well as how they are moderated. Should paazin or PA or whoever took over moderation wish to keep doing that job, thats fine with me, but I will move to vote on anonymity if that is the case. If it is not, I will remove it at once.

Can the DM Event Scheduler be cloned for players to post scheduled events for their groups and/or matchmaking? If this can happen are you in favor of that?

Yes, and yes. Decent idea, and not a big problem.

Would you be in favor of creating an e-mail address for each server and then creating an account for them on the NWConnections? (I understand this is sort of doing their "job" for them, however maybe we just have to "get-r-done")

The email sitution is something i need to look into. Ideally, we should set up a mailserver and host account@alandfaraway.org. I'd say one for each admin atleast, and info@ and such. On NWConnections and such, thats PR's job. I just set up the accounts as needed, other people hand them out and actually use them.

Keeping with the status quo, if you are asked to do something by the majority and do not believe it is the right thing to do, how would you deal with that? (it is inevitable that in an Admin position you will at some point be needed to do something you don't personally agree with, how well do you believe you can separate your personal interest from the will of the people?)

Well. The majority usually don't have the knowhow required to actually say much about the things an IA deals with. Most of the IA's job is behind the scenes, and technical. Be more specific about what this majority would want in a certain scenario, and I will answer you.

Thanks for volunteering

NP

[Lusipher]

Would you be in favor of creating an e-mail address for each server and then creating an account for them on the NWConnections? (I understand this is sort of doing their "job" for them, however maybe we just have to "get-r-done")

This is the server teams job. It takes less than 5 minutes for a server team rep to go over to NWC, make a server account, and to list whatever it is they need to list. Its simple. No one but the server team should do this. Its not anyones job but those teams. PR has connections at NWC, but they arent going to daily or weekly change things for individual servers. They are big boys and girls and can do it. IA, PA, or PR shouldnt have to do it for them.

[zicada]

Would you be in favor of creating an e-mail address for each server and then creating an account for them on the NWConnections? (I understand this is sort of doing their "job" for them, however maybe we just have to "get-r-done")

This is the server teams job. It takes less than 5 minutes for a server team rep to go over to NWC, make a server account, and to list whatever it is they need to list. Its simple. No one but the server team should do this. Its not anyones job but those teams. PR has connections at NWC, but they arent going to daily or weekly change things for individual servers. They are big boys and girls and do it. IA, PA, or PR shouldnt have to do it for them.

Actually giving them TSM@alandfaraway.org instead of TSM@some-lame-host.com is a good idea though. Seems alot more pro.

[Lusipher]

Ok, I have a few question for the candidate:

If you become IA are you going to act like a Admin should act? Your behavior in chat at least has been downright bad. You have gone on hour long rants about sex, religion, etc, etc. This was done with you sometimes sober and sometimes not. Im wanting to know if your going to act mature enough to have the position? Ive seen you kick people already from #alfa when they have disagreed with you. Is this the kind of behavior we are going to see from you in the future if you get this job? You have had dubious behavior before when you held the forums and website. Even holding the project hostage for a time. You can right here and right now tell everyone reading that we will Never see that behavior from you ever again?

Hialmar was very good about helping PR setting up emails, forums, etc. We have had SenorT working on website design for a bit now. You mentioned this in a previous post. What do you think we can do from a PR standpoint and from your position that can make our project look and feel better to new players? Like from the website and forums.

Forum Moderation. You are someone who has openly professed you do not like the moderation. Is your main problem with moderation just the fact that the moderators are being so draconian or that their anon and you have no face to direct your displeasure with posts? What good will asking for the mods to be visible do? Dont you think that if they are told they must be visible that they will be the targets of lots of nagging, hateful pms, and threats? I imagine that at least with the way its set up now they can at least breath knowing that people wont hound them every minute they log into the boards or in IRC. Why take that away from them?

One more thing with moderation. The IRC Chat room. It is still a cesspool. We have "moderators", but the majority of the time they are afk or dont do anything. Would you back Paazin in getting more active moderators for IRC and would you lift the pg-13 atmosphere on chat. I dont expect people to act like "saints" in IRC, but from a PR standpoint coming into #alfa and listening to people ranting either racist or sexist remarks, seeing people called "c u n t" and others spewing hateful remarks at other members not in IRC...dont you think IRC is a terrible "face" for new ALFans to come into?

Thanks for your time.

[Lusipher]

Actually giving them TSM@alandfaraway.org instead of TSM@some-lame-host.com is a good idea though. Seems alot more pro.
_________________

I agree with you. Having emails here for servers teams isnt a bad idea. My thoughts above were mostly on NWC and Nalo bringing up the idea again and again and again when PR staff have told them individual servers are more than welcome to make their own listings over there and should.

[Veilan]

Hey zic,

right onto the hot topic.

From my standpoint - and experience in the field - I've certain ideas about how moderation should work and what qualities good moderation, and moderators, should have. I'm just going to hit you with it, can you tell me whether, and if yes, to what extent you agree?

First of all, I think that anonymity plus power is always a dangerous combination. Moderation is a form of power, and one that should be used temperately and, yes, in moderation. A good moderator needs to be accessible, consistent and fair. Also, he needs the self-assuredness to accept criticism - you are never going to make it right for all people, and it is thus important for one to agree to disagree with someone. As moderation cannot work along perfect, digital rules - this is okay and that isn't - we need people to arbitrate the fine lines along some principles we set for our community.

Of course, feel free to expand on what basic principles you think moderation should have.

Cheers, thanks and good luck,

[zicada]

Ok, I have a few question for the candidate:

If you become IA are you going to act like a Admin should act? Your behavior in chat at least has been downright bad. You have gone on hour long rants about sex, religion, etc, etc. This was done with you sometimes sober and sometimes not. Im wanting to know if your going to act mature enough to have the position? Ive seen you kick people already from #alfa when they have disagreed with you. Is this the kind of behavior we are going to see from you in the future if you get this job? You have had dubious behavior before when you held the forums and website. Even holding the project hostage for a time. You can right here and right now tell everyone reading that we will Never see that behavior from you ever again?

Hialmar was very good about helping PR setting up emails, forums, etc. We have had SenorT working on website design for a bit now. You mentioned this in a previous post. What do you think we can do from a PR standpoint and from your position that can make our project look and feel better to new players? Like from the website and forums.

Forum Moderation. You are someone who has openly professed you do not like the moderation. Is your main problem with moderation just the fact that the moderators are being so draconian or that their anon and you have no face to direct your displeasure with posts? What good will asking for the mods to be visible do? Dont you think that if they are told they must be visible that they will be the targets of lots of nagging, hateful pms, and threats? I imagine that at least with the way its set up now they can at least breath knowing that people wont hound them every minute they log into the boards or in IRC. Why take that away from them?

One more thing with moderation. The IRC Chat room. It is still a cesspool. We have "moderators", but the majority of the time they are afk or dont do anything. Would you back Paazin in getting more active moderators for IRC and would you lift the pg-13 atmosphere on chat. I dont expect people to act like "saints" in IRC, but from a PR standpoint coming into #alfa and listening to people ranting either racist or sexist remarks, seeing people called "&#!-" and others spewing hateful remarks at other members not in IRC...dont you think IRC is a terrible "face" for new ALFans to come into?

Thanks for your time.

First of all Dan. I believe what people are referring to when they talk about "tone" is pretty much your post summed up.

Second of all, I dont very much like hypocrits, you can't both be an asshole and at the same time cry about people beeing assholes. It doesnt work that way. Ive told you this a million times.

On the topic of #alfa. My stance on that remains the same as last time. #alfa remains the way it is, and new users or users who want to discuss game-a (the actual game) end up in #alandfaraway through our webpage. #alfa is a fun place for a ton of members, and i would like it to stay that way.

Also, as you well know, /kick is just a minor issue, you can join again. It was obviously done in jest, and you know it. If I was going to 'abuse my powers' as it were, then #alfa really would'nt be my first choice,- again, obviously.

We all know, who actually stay on #alfa, that 99% of the stuff uttered is just in good fun, nobody is beeing serious. The argument that new players who dont realize that could get the wrong idea is very valid however, hence we funnel them to #alandfaraway. ALL new players who try to get on IRC will end up there, so problem solved.

If the forum moderators become "targets" once their anonymous cloak is removed, then we deal with that. Its an easy problem to solve.

You're right i had a problem with moderation when it started. I can safely assume most did. The moderators who were chosen did a very bad job, and made a horrible first impression. In a way it was pretty funny. It seems to have slowed down quite a bit though. As long as Off topic is left alone, and we actually know who we're dealing with, everything is just dandy.

[zicada]

Hialmar was very good about helping PR setting up emails, forums, etc. We have had SenorT working on website design for a bit now. You mentioned this in a previous post. What do you think we can do from a PR standpoint and from your position that can make our project look and feel better to new players? Like from the website and forums.

I looked at Senior_T's work, and i like it alot. I think his ideas are very good, and like I said, i definately want to give that alot of attention.

[Nalo Jade]

Zicada, do you agree with Danubus?

For clatification... I was trying to avoid talking about moderation at all...I will let others carry that torch, I have made it abundantly clear where I stand, no need to beat a war drum about it.

<examples>

Infra strike, the powers that be deem that your best friend should receive an infra strike from you, you believe that the strike is not warranted, how do you handle that situation?

A motion is put before Admin to change something critical on the charter, all of Admin gets a vote, the community through a poll makes it clear that 65% of the 90 voters what the change. You are personally against the change, it makes no logical sense... do you vote your conscience or do you side with the majority?

HDMs want

[zicada]

Hey zic,

right onto the hot topic.

From my standpoint - and experience in the field - I've certain ideas about how moderation should work and what qualities good moderation, and moderators, should have. I'm just going to hit you with it, can you tell me whether, and if yes, to what extent you agree?

First of all, I think that anonymity plus power is always a dangerous combination. Moderation is a form of power, and one that should be used temperately and, yes, in moderation. A good moderator needs to be accessible, consistent and fair. Also, he needs the self-assuredness to accept criticism - you are never going to make it right for all people, and it is thus important for one to agree to disagree with someone. As moderation cannot work along perfect, digital rules - this is okay and that isn't - we need people to arbitrate the fine lines along some principles we set for our community.

Of course, feel free to expand on what basic principles you think moderation should have.

Cheers, thanks and good luck,

You put it pretty much perfectly, sir. The question is obviously, do we have enough of these types to make up a decent team ?

Like you say, you could try to make a list of 'whats ok, and what isnt' until you get blue. Thats not a good idea at all. We just need the right people. Im sure some of the current ones are actually very good at this. And i would love it if they would like to continue with their masks off as it were.

[Lusipher]

First of all Dan. I believe what people are referring to when they talk about "tone" is pretty much your post summed up.

Zic, tone has nothing to do with it. Those are honest and blunt questions. Pretty cut and dry. Id still like a real response, please. Everything asked was factual. I want you to tell all of us in this project we will Never see that type of behavior from you again. Do you think you have the right attitude for the job? Just having some skills and hardware dont always make for holding a job.

[zicada]

Infra strike, the powers that be deem that your best friend should receive an infra strike from you, you believe that the strike is not warranted, how do you handle that situation?

It being up to me, If i believe it is not warranted, it will not happen. The real question is, do i believe this because he/she is my friend ? I dont think something as trivial as a strike would affect my judgement like that. Maybe if it was about a permaban, I would probably take their side of the argument to see about changing some minds.

A motion is put before Admin to change something critical on the charter, all of Admin gets a vote, the community through a poll makes it clear that 65% of the 90 voters what the change. You are personally against the change, it makes no logical sense... do you vote your conscience or do you side with the majority?

When it comes to the charter, I am actually very much FOR change. Anything to simplify things is good. Less political playtime. Less content for ALFA-game B if you will. That is how I will allways use my vote when it comes down to organization, the charter, and generally how alfa is run. I think we should use Exodus for inspiration.
Also, let me make it clear that Im not prone to follow a majority just to appease them, or because I am afraid of setting my foot down. I believe that many of the issues and troubles people complain about in ALFA are rooted in the organizational level, and too much emphasis on ALFA-game B. It needs to become clear to some that ALFA-game B has very little impact on ALFA-game A (eg the real game).

[Magile]

Zic, tone has nothing to do with it.

Tone has a lot to do with things, as does how you present your question. You could have asked, "Zicada, will you act in according to how an Admin would act and be a leading example of how ALFAns should be?" It would have the same affect of what you'd like to know without dragging someone's name through the dirt.

As for my question, I'd like to know if you're willing to commit to the job enough to be around for a full term. We have seen the DMA, TA and IA end prematurely in 2008, which makes a mess of things and creates a bit more chaos than we're used to. If elected, can you guarantee you're willing to stick it out for the rest of the term?